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Category Archives: motivation

Great, memorable movies have become scarce as hell these last few years. Everything is remakes of what was already done. Originality has officially left the building. It’s rare that a beginning screenwriter/director will get shine on the big screen or the television screen. A few such as Lee Daniels and LaShonda Rhimes have slid through and I’m grateful because that is motivation for me but (and you knew there was a but) there isn’t enough good screenwriters. Well aspiring screenwriters listen up because opportunity is knocking at your door with a vengeance.

Universal Pictures (yes that Universal) has set up a writer’s fellowship program for up to five potential writers to work with the studio for a year. They will be able to:

Work on current projects
Pitch original ideas
Attend workshops
Receive mentoring
Interact with top literary agents and
Sit in on Universal’s executive meetings

Starting September 3rd applicants can submit their packets. Only online submissions allowed and only 500 will be accepted. The Writers’ Fellowship Application, a legal release form, resume, 2 letters of recommendations and a statement of purpose answers are what are required. Semi finalists will be asked for a 2nd screenplay. Ten finalists will then be chosen and be interviewed in LA. Finally 5 will be chosen as participants of Universal Pictures Writers’ Fellowship. Visit nbcunicareers.com for full info and good luck!

Masha Hamilton is on a mission to give girls and women a voice, an education, health insurance and so much more. One way is thru her organization Afghan Women’s Writing Project which on the website features stories and poems. Masha uses literacy to help women; words are more powerful than you realize, thankfully this beautiful spirited woman has. She’s putting faces to women we probably would never have seen unless this organization wasn’t created. Visit awwproject.org to see how you can help. I do know one off the bat; buying her book What Changes Everything. With each digital sale a dollar will be donated to her non-profit organization. It shares the stories of Afghan women and women in Brooklyn. Odd pair but they do have commonalities if you just read the book to find out.

Within the next week or so your lovely kids will be out for the summer. What is your agenda for them? We’re talking about three months here. A mother myself when asked that I automatically go into the sports, which is still good it keeps them active and out of trouble however what about their academics? Stop shaking your head.
I know what you’re thinking, isn’t that what the teachers are for? If they did their job during the school year then I wouldn’t have to worry about that right?

Dead wrong.

In three months a child can lose everything they learned the previous year – everything! Did you know that most of the first quarter of the following school year your child is reviewing what was taught the previous year? Couldn’t that be time spent on new material?

Income

Income does play a part in this. Either way if a child doesn’t read during those three months they will lose all of that information whether they are from a financially stable home or a low income home however a family financially stable have access to resources more than the low income child does. That’s reality – a lot of kids’ reality unfortunately. I’m not saying that parents of low income do not care about their children’s education it’s just that they can’t get a hold of resources to keep their kids focused and ahead of their education like their rich counterparts.

So what do we do?

We can do simple things to get our children revved up to read. You don’t need to have deep pockets just the want to see them succeed.

1. Take them to the library. Libraries usually have free summer reading programs where children can earn prizes for the amount of books they read. It’s great, keeps kids interested and increases their reading level scores.

2. Be a role model. Do you read? Do you read in front of your kids? I know, I know you don’t have time because there are sooo much to do but answer this. What did you do before this entire social media, iPhones and such came along? It wasn’t that long ago when they came out if you think about it. How did you communicate? Kids are sponges and will do things you do whether you notice it or not so pick up a book, read together or separate but at the same times even if it is through your Kindle.

3. Donate old books with your kids. Say your kids really hate to read and nothing you’re saying is sticking. How about taking some of their old books to a donation center or organization and let them see other kids get excited about getting books. Maybe that will reignite in them the drive and excitement to read because they see that hey it may be cool to read.

4. Start a literacy program for the neighborhood kids. Involve your kids in this one but start a literacy program for all of the neighborhood kids whether your own or elsewhere. Let them pick the book to read, the prizes maybe for reading the most or improving the most. Make field trips too about reading.

5. Find fun, innovative ways for them to read. What is their favorite thing to do? Well incorporate that into a reading lesson. They will have so much fun they will forget they are actually learning. Doesn’t hurt to try.

Always keep your kids interest at the forefront. It’s not about what’s convenient for you, it’s about their future. Don’t give up on them. Love reading!

As an adult I have a problem with focusing and prioritizing what needs to be done in writing. How does one cute that cause I know I am not the only one.

Brian A. Klems had it right when he wrote those five rules from above.

If you are like me you must do some serious mental spring cleaning. Sometimes you have to scream out to yourself to JUST DO IT and then do those five things. Know what your goals are. At the end of the day ask yourself what is your percentage. Did you give your 110%? If not, yeah do the 5. We can do it together. What have you done so far today? Me, I would say 110%, from 5:30 I said go and I’m doing it. One day at a time right?